Blood Donation Camp on Celebration of 40 years of SOS Children's Village International in Bangladesh held

As a part of the community service on the occasion of its Glorious 40 Years (1972-2012), SOS Children's Village International in Bangladesh arranged a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp on 13 December 2012 association with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS). The chief guest - Mr. Ranjit Kumar Biswas, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare formally inaugurated the celebration programme through releasing a bunch of balloons with huge clapping by everybody around. Children also released the balloons at the same time. Among others, high officials of government and non-governmental organisations were present. A discussion session was held on that occasion which was presided over by the Deputy National Director of SOS Children's Village International in Bangladesh - Dr. Md. Enamul Haque.

In Bangladesh, total yearly demand of blood and blood component is about 400,000 units. BDRCS yearly supplies about 50,000 units of whole blood / blood components, which is about about 14% of the total need. BDRCS is trying to eliminate commercial donors and to convert family / replacement donors into voluntary donors.

SOS Children's Village International in Bangladesh arranged Voluntary Blood Donation Programme aiming to support BDRCS to maintain a safe, adequate blood supply for the vulnerable people and to be prepared for any emergency. This is not the first initiative of such programme by SOS Bangladesh. Earlier, they arranged several Blood Donation Programmes on some special occasions like 30 years celebration, International SOS Children's Village Day, etc.

In his address, the Chief Guest Mr. Ranjit Kumar Biswas expressed deep respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Expressing deep respect about noble personality and founder of SOS Children’s Village - Prof. Hermann Gmeiner, he praised the humanitarian activities of SOS Children’s Villages. He appreciated the initiative of arranging Blood Donation Programme.

Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Deputy National Director, SOS Children's Village International in Bangladesh urges the kind hearted people of the society to extend their hands to SOS Children's Villages to strengthen our initiative of caring children in need.

Mr. Md. Saiful Islam, Project Director, SOS Children's Village Dhaka thanked the donors to come forward voluntarily to donate blood for the vulnerable and distressed people of the community.

Total, 43 people - mothers, co-workers, teachers, students and young people donated blood for the noble cause. Replying to a question from the chief guest, 20 years old youngster Rasel of SOS Children's Village Dhaka, who was the first donor of the programme, was telling 'I am willingly taking part in this programme and I am very much happy to do it'. Another boy - Rijvi, who is also 20 years old, was telling after donating blood in the programme, 'I think, it is an opportunity for me to give the most precious gift of all - the gift of life, for the humanity'. Mr. Maidul Islam, an SOS co-worker was expressing his feeling like 'I feel proud to donate blood in this event on celebration of 40 years services of SOS Bangladesh. If my blood help an ill person I will be happy'.

Most importantly, awareness was raised through the programme. A number of first timers stepped forward to contribute and many of them expressed interest in donating regularly. SOS co-worker Mr. Mostofa Maim Siddique was expressing with smile, 'This is the 23rd time in my life, I am donating blood'.

It was indeed a meaningful day for all of the co-workers involved in 40 years celebration programme of SOS Bangladesh.